Rise of the "Smartphone face": Is technology to blame for sagging complexions?

Rise of the 'smartphone face': Is technology to blame for sagging complexions

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UPDATED:

12:48 GMT, 15 May 2012

Watch out! Experts believe smartphone use could promote sagging jowls

Technology addicts may be at risk of sagging jowls, according to aesthetic experts.

It is believed that smartphone and laptop use, could cause facial skin and muscle to lose its elasticity as people spend an increasing amount of time sat with their heads bent.

It is now believed that the phenomenon, dubbed 'smartphone face' could be behind the growing trend for skin tightening treatments and chin implants which cost around 4,290.

According to statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) 'chinplants' are becoming the fastest growing cosmetic surgery trend.

In 2011 its popularity grew more than breast augmentation, Botox and liposuction combined.

And a number of leading doctors believe that technology could be behind the growing trend, as poor posture can promote saggy jowls, double chins and 'marionette lines' – the creases from the corners of the mouth down the chin.

Confirming the condition, coined 'smartphone face', Dr Mervyn Patterson of the Woodford Medical group told the Evening Standard: 'If you sit for hours with your head bent slightly forward, staring at your iPhone or laptop screen, you may shorten the neck muscles and increase the gravitational pull on the jowl area, leading to a drooping jawline.'

According to Ofcom’s 2011 Communication Market Report 91 per cent of adults use a mobile phone while 27 per cent opt for smartphones.

Meanwhile the Health and Safety Executive’s Horizon Scanning paper reports that by 2015, 70-80 per cent of workers could be, at least partially, working remotely from a laptop.

ASPS president Dr Malcolm Roth also suggests that the use of video chat causes people to be more conscious of their appearance.

Technology to blame This patient underwent surgery to change the shape of her face – pictures courtesy of Dr. Sherman, a plastic surgeon based in San Diego

'The chin and jawline are among the first areas to show signs of ageing.

'As more people see themselves on video chat technology, they may notice that their jawline is not as sharp as they want.'

While chin implants are still relatively rare in the UK, surgeons have noticed a rise in the number of requests.

A spokesperson from UK cosmetic surgery provider, Transform, told MailOnline: ‘Over the past 18 months to two years we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of those opting for the procedure, but we’re around three years behind the U.S. so we expect a similar pattern to gradually emerge.'

Dr Nick Lowe of London's Cranley Clinic revealed that other causes of a sagging complexion can include a naturally short, weak chin, weight fluctuations and even exercise and diet.